by Heather Tucker, USA TODAY Sports

by Heather Tucker, USA TODAY Sports

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Tony Stewart tired quickly of questions about his rookie driver and her dating life as Speedweeks opened.

Four days into the leadup to the Daytona 500 on Feb. 24, Stewart is still getting queries about Danica Patrick, but now they're about racing.

Patrick, who is dating fellow rookie Ricky Stenhouse Jr., became the first woman to win the Daytona 500 pole, as well as the top starting spot in a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.

Stewart-Haas Racing put all three cars in the top six during Sunday's qualifying for the Daytona 500, assuring they will all be in the 500 field.

Stewart, always good for a sound bite, suggested Patrick had expanded her social circle in defining the team chemistry and camaraderie.

"I think Danica has two boyfriends, she has Ricky and she has (crew chief) Tony Gibson. They are all but holding hands in the shop when they're there everyday together. It's good for me to see as an owner. I like to see that chemistry that you're talking about. And Ryan's (Newman) happy being back with Matt (Borland). I'm happy with Steve (Addington)."

Patrick started working with Gibson at the end of last season for her final two of 10 Cup events she ran for Stewart, who said he sent her to some of the most difficult tracks to help prepare her for this season. She notched her highest finishes among those starts - a 24th at Texas Motor Speedway and a 17th at Phoenix International Raceway, under Gibson.

As for Stewart, he says: "My personality, whether it's good or bad, transfers everywhere we go. â?¦ We're all working for a common cause and common goal. We're all sharing in the success. We've got a lot to be proud of."